Two brothers wanted in connection with a deadly fire at their nightclub in India's Goa state, which killed 25 people, have been detained in Thailand, India's ambassador to Thailand, Nagesh Singh, confirmed.
Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, owners of the Birch By Romeo Lane club, fled to Phuket shortly after the incident earlier this week.
Singh stated, 'They will be sent back [to India],' following a court in Delhi's refusal to grant them protection from arrest and the Goa government's actions to revoke their passports.
The brothers have not made any statements publicly, but their lawyer claimed they are victims of a 'witch hunt.'
The fire erupted in the early hours of Sunday at the club in a bustling nightlife area, and investigations suggest it was ignited by fireworks inside the venue. Most of the victims were club staff, with five being tourists.
Authorities raided the brothers' residence in Delhi soon after but found they had already fled. Police sought Interpol's assistance to track them down.
Saurabh Luthra, who identifies himself on social media as the chairman of the club's management, publicly expressed his sorrow via a social media post on Monday, stating, 'The management stands in unwavering solidarity with the families of the deceased as well as those injured.'
On Wednesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant noted that police had already arrested six individuals in connection with this tragic event, promising that more arrests would follow.
Goa, a former Portuguese colony along the Arabian Sea, is renowned for its vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and tourist resorts.
